Vocal Cord Adduction Exercises For Voice

This is a more comfortable, less strenuous way to do vocal cord adduction exercises to improve vocal quality and intensity.

Pressing your chin down against the flexible, gentle resistance of the ISO-CTAR Device and vocalizing, causes mild straining and helps to force the vocal cords to close, strengthening the muscles that close them when vocalizing, and making the voice stronger.

One Handed Vocal Cord Adduction Exercises

The ISO-CTAR Device can be held with only one hand, which provides a way for patients with hemiparalysis, hemiparesis, or tremors due to stroke, Parkinson's disease, or other disorders to still be able to complete vocal cord adduction exercises.

Instructions

To improve an airy vocal quality and increase vocal loudness, hold the ISO-CTAR Device in the chin down position and say a prolonged "Ahhhhhhhhh" until you run out of breath. You can try it with and without pressing down on the ISO-CTAR Device and you will hear a difference in your voice. When you are pressing down, your voice will be louder, clearer, and stronger, because the slight straining presses the vocal cords together. With continued practice, your voice will sound more and more like this when you are not pressing down, as the muscles become stronger. You can also use hard glottal stops with this exercise. While pressing down, say "Ah. Ah. Ah. Ah...".

Intensified Laryngeal Elevation Exercises

Parkinson's disease, stroke, and other disorders may also affect the range of the voice, making it difficult to change pitch or sing higher notes. The ISO-CTAR Device can also be used to perform voice exercises to improve vocal range.

Performing laryngeal elevation exercises, such as singing musical scales or holding out a high pitched tone as long as you can on one breath, while keeping your chin pressed down against the resistance of the ISO-CTAR Device provides added intensity to these exercises. The CTAR (Chin Tuck Against Resistance) position causes the suprahyoid muscles to contract. These are the muscles that elevate the larynx and make the voice pitch change. Singing or speaking in a high pitched voice causes these muscles to contract also. So when you combine both methods of contracting these muscles, you get a powerful contraction, providing an increased intensity to the exercises.

Note: It is important for any patient with a voice problem to see an Ear Nose and Throat physician to rule out the need for medical or surgical treatment before beginning therapy exercises.

60 Day Risk Free Trial

Try it for 60 days risk free! If you are unsatisfied with the ISO-CTAR Device for any reason, simply return it within 60 days for a full refund of the purchase price.

Testimonial

"I am amazed at how much my husband’s speech has improved since you started giving him speech therapy. The ISO has increased his volume so quickly that I was startled to hear a “voice” while standing in my walk in closet. I couldn’t believe it was Maynard’s voice, but it was!..." - Arline Kern

Vocal Cord Adduction Exercises For Swallowing

It is important for the vocal cords to close well to protect the airway during the swallow. An airy vocal quality can be a sign of risk of aspiration (getting food or liquids into the lungs when swallowing). Aspiration can cause pneumonia. It is wise to seek evaluation by a speech language pathologist for voice and dysphagia if you have acquired an airy quality to your voice, especially if you are in a high risk group for dysphagia, such as: stroke survivor, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Head and Neck Cancer, TBI, Down's Syndrome, and Huntington's disease.

The ISO-CTAR Device was invented by a speech language pathologist. It is designed to use the same basic motions which are used in two well known exercises for dysphagia: the Shaker exercise (or the Chin Tuck Against Resistance - CTAR), and the Jaw Opening Against Resistance (JOAR) exercise.

You can see a summary of the relevant research on our Research page. The ISO-CTAR Device offers a fun, easy, and convenient way to do these exercises. People love using it and they can really feel it working the muscles in the throat, so they are willing to do more of the exercises. Best results are usually achieved by using the device twice daily until the muscles are fatigued. You should consult with your physician before beginning an exercise program..